Thanjavur District is one of the 32 districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. Its headquarters is Thanjavur. As of 2011, Thanjavur district had a population of 2,405,890 with a sex-ratio of 1,035 females for every 1,000 males.

According to 2011 census, Thanjavur district had a population of 2,405,890 with a sex-ratio of 1,035 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[3] A total of 238,598 were under the age of six, constituting 121,949 males and 116,649 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 18.91% and .15% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the district was 74.44%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[3] The district had a total of 605,363 households. There were a total of 974,079 workers, comprising 117,321 cultivators, 327,673 main agricultural labourers, 26,430 in house hold industries, 363,060 other workers, 139,595 marginal workers, 12,592 marginal cultivators, 87,688 marginal agricultural labourers, 4,770 marginal workers in household industries and 34,545 other marginal workers.[4]

This district lies at the Kaveri delta region, the most fertile region in the state.[5] The district is the main rice producing region in the state and hence known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu.[6]Kaveri River and its tributaries irrigate the district. Apart from paddy, farmers here grow coconut and sugarcane and it is the largest producer of coconut in Tamil Nadu.Being an agrarian economy, industrial growth in the district is mainly confined to agro-based industries. A large number of Rice mills, Oil mills are spread over the district.

Airavateswara Temple,Darasuram in Thanjavur District is built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Peruvudaiyaar Temple, built by the Cholas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located at Thanjavur. The green paddy fields and the Kaveri river provide for picturesque spots in the district. Airavateswara temple near Kumbakonam is also a UNESCO declared World Heritage site and another major tourist attraction in the district.